Dissidents with an innovation cause? Non-institutionalized actors' online social knowledge sharing solution-finding tensions and technology management innovation

Abstract

Purpose - Traditionally most studies focus on institutionalized management-driven actors to understand technology management innovation. The purpose of this paper is to argue that there is a need for research to study the nature and role of dissident non-institutionalized actors' (i.e. outsourced web designers and rapid application software developers). The authors propose that through online social knowledge sharing non-institutionalized actors' solution-finding tensions enable technology management innovation. Design/methodology/approach - A synthesis of the literature and an analysis of the data (21 interviews) provided insights in three areas of solution-finding tensions enabling management innovation. The authors frame the analysis on the peripherally deviant work and the nature of the ways that dissident non-institutionalized actors deviate from their clients (understood as the firm) original contracted objectives. Findings - The findings provide insights into the productive role of solution-finding tensions in enabling opportunities for management service innovation. Furthermore deviant practices that leverage non-institutionalized actors' online social knowledge to fulfill customers' requirements are not interpreted negatively but as a positive willingness to proactively explore alternative paths. Research limitations/implications - The findings demonstrate the importance of dissident non-institutionalized actors in technology management innovation. However this work is based on a single country (USA) and additional research is needed to validate and generalize the findings in other cultural and institutional settings. Originality/value - This paper provides new insights into the perceptions of dissident non-institutionalized actors in the practice of IT managerial decision making. The work departs from but also extends the previous literature demonstrating that peripherally deviant work in solution-finding practice creates tensions enabling management innovation between IT providers and users.